Montgomery County transgender nondiscrimination law protected from repeal effort

The Task Force Action Fund is thrilled with today’s win before the highest court in Maryland which decided that an anti-transgender measure must be removed from the ballot in Montgomery County, Md. The court agreed with plaintiffs that the opposition effort did not collect enough valid signatures, reversing a lower court decision.

“We are thrilled to have our work and the work of our partners in Maryland vindicated. We were honored to help the Montgomery County LGBT community build a strong campaign from the ground up and see that building grassroots political power — and winning — is more than possible. We knew that there were not enough valid signatures collected and we are proud to have stood side by side with Equality Maryland, Basic Rights Montgomery, our legal partners and many volunteers to mount this legal challenge to the repeal effort. Had the measure reached the ballot, we are sure the fair-minded voters of Montgomery County would have rejected it as an attack on fundamental rights. We are excited that LGBT people in Maryland can now focus their efforts on passing a statewide ban on anti-transgender discrimination.”
— Task Force Action Fund Executive Director Rea Carey

In our OutSpoken blog, Task Force Field Organizer Jovan Sage describes how the Task Force was preparing to defeat this anti-transgender measure that was removed today from the November ballot in Montgomery County, Md. “Even though we won a huge victory today for transgender rights in Maryland — with the court throwing out the effort to repeal transgender rights on the ballot — we were preparing to defeat this attack on gender identity protections in November. We have to fight back when our community is under attack. By working together and doing grassroots organizing we could keep transgender protections in Montgomery County,” writes Sage.

Darlene Nipper named deputy executive director

Darlene Nipper, a seasoned leader with nearly two decades experience in nonprofit management and program development, public policy advocacy and outreach, budget management and coalition building, has been named deputy executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, effective Oct. 1, 2008. Nipper has held leadership positions in the government, corporate and nonprofit sectors. She has an extensive background as a health advocate, working with those affected by HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, mental illness and other health issues. An ordained interfaith minister, she most recently served as executive director of the Insight Meditation Community of Washington.

“As any executive director knows, there are few things more valuable than an outstanding ‘No. 2’ to help guide an organization in fulfilling its mission. Darlene Nipper is that person. Her breadth of experience will serve the Task Force well and I am confident our colleagues in national, state and local organizations will enjoy working with her. Our leadership team will be even stronger with the addition of her expertise, energy and passion for this work. I couldn’t be more thrilled.”
—Task Force Executive Director Rea Carey

Russell Roybal and Brian Johnson complete Task Force executive team

Task Force Movement Building Director Russell Roybal has been promoted to the position of deputy executive director of external relations. In his new capacity, Roybal will oversee the organization’s fundraising and communications work, including ensuring the Task Force is using its resources strategically to increase the visibility of issues of importance to the LGBT community.

Brian Johnson, formerly the Task Force’s deputy executive director for finance and administration, has been named chief financial officer. According to Task Force Executive Director Rea Carey, the title change more appropriately describes the scope of Johnson’s responsibilities.

Task Force publishes ENDA toolkit

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Policy Institute has published “Passing An Inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act: An Advocate’s ENDA Toolkit,” for local action with resources to help organizers and activists alike to motivate local action teams, state by state and district by district. The 50-page kit includes tools and resources for lobbying, organizing and mobilizing, religious leaders’ involvement, working with the media and working with candidates and campaigns.

“For years we have known that education is the most important tool for securing rights for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. This toolkit provides the resources necessary to assist LGBT activists across the country to help ensure passage of a fully inclusive ENDA in the next Congress. The work of United ENDA continues, particularly at the grassroots level, in the past months and as we go forward, to achieve a vote in Congress for a fully inclusive ENDA.”
— Task Force Action Fund Executive Director Rea Carey

Los Angeles Leadership Awards to honor Sid Sheinberg and creative team of MILK

Sid Sheinberg, legendary president of MCA and vice chair of Human Rights Watch, will be there — you be there too! On September 21, we’ll hold our annual Los Angeles Leadership Awards at the beautiful Beverly Hills Hotel. We’ll be honoring Sid for his life’s work in securing equality for all people. We’ll also be honoring the creative team behind the soon-to-be-released film MILK about the life of Harvey Milk — Dustin Lance Black, Bruce Cohen, Dan Jinks and Gus Van Sant. Go to www.theTaskForce.org/lala to purchase tickets and find out who our special presenter will be. A great afternoon for a great cause!